RESPIRATORY ALLERGIESTHE BASICS

Respiratory allergies are a malfunction of the immune system, leading the body to overreact to contact with harmless substances that are present in the atmosphere. It manifests itself in inflammation of the nose, eyes and bronchial tubes.

An overreaction of the immune system

In the allergic process, cells in the immune system begin to react disproportionately to a substance – though harmless – that they take to be an enemy. As they would do against a virus, they make antibodies directed specifically against this “allergen”, which will then generate the release of inflammatory molecules, such as histamine, on each exposure.

Nose, eyes, bronchial tubes: the “victims” of respiratory allergens

Present in the atmosphere, the main respiratory allergens are house dust mites, pollen, animal hair and mould. If inhaled, they cause inflammatory reactions in the nose, eyes, throat and bronchial tubes. The main allergic respiratory conditions are allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Respiratory allergy, the leading allergy

Respiratory allergies are the most common allergies in Europe. Allergic rhinitis affects 400 to 500 million people worldwide 1-2. In France, it is estimated that up to one in three adults is affected by them!3 .